Archaeopteryx, the ‘first bird’, has fascinated people since the first mostly complete specimen was dug out of a quarry in Bavaria in 1861. But what colour were its famous feathers?
In conversation with Tess LeaAn interview with Tess Lea, author of 'Darwin', the final book in the acclaimed city series.
The long boomSpaces of leisure and pleasure, which were products of commercial and private enterprise, appeared in Sydney during the decades of 'the long boom', dramatically transforming the landscape from 1945 to 1970.
Our link with 1788: First Fleet artThe sudden emergence of a large, previously unknown collection of New South Wales natural history drawings from the library of a now forgotten botanist has some stories to tell us about the earliest years of the colony in Sydney Cove.
The Great TransitionMark Diesendorf argues that it is time to transition from energy systems based on fossil fuels to ecologically sustainable systems, such as hydro-electricity, wind power, solar photovoltaic power and concentrated solar thermal power.
On trial for hackingThe phone-hacking trial of Rupert Murdoch’s News International in London is reaching its halfway point, as the defence prepares to mount its case. Rodney Tiffen, author of Rupert Murdoch: A reassessment, examines the case so far.
An Australia Day traditionThe Australia Day Regatta has been held on Sydney Harbour since 1837, and its traditions are alive and well, as Christine Cheater and Jennifer Debenham explore in their history of this enduring event.
Piranesi's Grandest TourHow are several Australian artists and some of our major cultural collections linked with the works of great eighteenth-century Italian printmaker Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720–78)? Much of Piranesi’s Grandest Tour: From Europe to Australia tells a fascinating, previously untold story, while also providing Australian audiences with a comprehensive introduction to the artist that takes account of recent research.
Loudon Sainthill's enduring influenceFantasy Modern book launch, 28 November 2013.
Travel books where no one leaves homeNewSouth Publishing City Series
Better assessment for allWhen the leadership group at the University of New South Wales decided that the university could provide better assessment for students with less academic time and effort, a major three-year project was launched. Its results across all the university’s faculties are detailed in Improving Assessment in Higher Education, edited by Richard Henry, Stephen Marshall and Prem Ramburuth.
Seaside democracyThe rapid rise of the Australian pastime of surf bathing, which began on Sydney’s beaches and spread north and south, was revolutionary.